A leading anti-hunt campaigner has appeared in court accused of assaulting a hunt official.

Following the confrontation in January this year, Judith Hewitt put a video of the incident on YouTube, allegedly adding disparaging comments.

Hewitt, 67, of Hadley Crescent, Rhyl, pleaded not guilty at Prestatyn magistrates’ court to assaulting Robert Smith, a “terrier man” with the Flint and Denbigh Hunt, obstructing a person engaged in a lawful activity, having trespassed on land, and using threatening behaviour.

Prosecutor James Neary said the incident occurred on January 28 when Mr Smith was at work controlling foxes at Plas Newydd, Trefnant.

In his role as a licensed vermin control officer authorised by the landowner Mr Smith was entitled to carry out the work but he was prevented from doing so by Hewitt, said Mr Neary.

He said that she filmed him and then put it on YouTube, along with further comments about Mr Smith, which amounted to harassment.

District Judge Gwyn Jones adjourned the case for a trial in October and Hewitt, who was represented by barrister John Simpson, was bailed until a pre-trial review in September.